Sensing how Darren just went silent after hearing her question, Xiu felt like she must have said something she shouldn't have. She knew his real mother's topic must be a very sensitive and painful one but she couldn't hold back her words. Her curiosity was gonna kill her otherwise. She just wanted to know whether he felt like he needed to know his real mother or not?
"I'm sorry for bringing this up," she hurriedly tried to fix the mood. "If you don't want to answer, that's alright. I know it must be very hard." She was hesitatingly gonna compromise now.
Darren placed his hand on her head gently and yet not so very gently as he shook her head saying, "Why would it be painful? I never even thought about her. Florence is mama's sister, and if she doesn't care where she is, I don't either."
I miss ranting in the author's notes. Now, I don't even know what to say. It's really weird.